Demolition delayed for historic aviator's house

Melanie Marks, of Fairfield, and Edwards Collins, of Milford, protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn.

Melanie Marks, of Fairfield, and Edwards Collins, of Milford, protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in

Harvey Hartin, of Fairfield, joins with others to protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn.

Harvey Hartin, of Fairfield, joins with others to protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn.

Carol Way, of Fairfield, and Edwards Collins, of Milford, protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn. less

Carol Way, of Fairfield, and Edwards Collins, of Milford, protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, ... more

Sue French, of Fairfield, joins with others to protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn.

Sue French, of Fairfield, joins with others to protest the demolition of the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn.

Jeanne Harrison, of Fairfield, speaks into a megaphone about the importance of preserving the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, during a protest outside the house on Alvin Street in Fairfield, Conn. less

Jeanne Harrison, of Fairfield, speaks into a megaphone about the importance of preserving the former home of aviation pioneer Gustave Whitehead Tuesday, April 15, 2014, during a protest outside the house on ... more

FAIRFIELD -- First Selectman Michael Tetreau has granted protestors a delay on the demolition of a house built and owned by Wright brothers' rival Gustave Whitehead.

"I was hoping they'd save the house and not let another piece of history from this area go," said Dolly Curtis, who organized a protest at the house on Tuesday. "People are calling me up, offering money. But we don't know where to move (the house)."

The stay was instigated by new information that may prove the house is 100 years old -- the age set by a local ordinance that requires a 60-day stay on demolitions.

She found a property tax record that shows that Gustave Whitehead's wife, Louise Whitehead, purchased four lots on Alvin Street in 1914. She got a mortgage on that property on Jan. 28, 1915. Tax records from that year also show a house existed on the property.

Marks gave town officials the information Thursday.

"Hopefully at least we'll have an extra day. I just hope (the owner) understands the significance of this house," she said.

Curtis said she received calls on Thursday from neighbors who said workers were taking measurements of the property and removing electrical components. "I think it's shameful," she said.

Tetreau said the tax assessor will review the documents Monday to determine whether the town's records, which indicate the house was built in 1918, are incorrect.

"We've asked the owner to delay for a few days so we can clarify the information Ms. Marks provided," he said.

Jane's All The World's Aircraft, the technical bible for aeronautical engineers and pilots, last year credited Whitehead as the first to build an operational heavier-than-air flying machine. Newspapers in Whitehead's day published stories about his flight a full two years before the Wright brothers -- but no known photo of the event exists, hampering official documentation.

Opponents of the demolition held a protest Tuesday. Another rally will be held Friday at 8 a.m. in front of the bungalow, at 184 Alvin St.

"Things have been really rolling along," said Stephen Link, who has asserted that his grandmother was the last living eyewitness of Whitehead's flights. "It's Good Friday, a bad time. But the point is the signs and the people have to be there as long as there's still a backdrop."

Curtis said she hoped a 60-day stay would provide enough time to find funds to move the house to another location.